2015 Leftovers III Edition: Far Flung Acoustic
By Aaron Stein Jan 20, 2016 • 1:09 pm PST

Haleiwa: Palm Trees of the Subarctic

Haleiwa is the moniker of Swedish musician Mikko Singh and his newest solo LP, Palm Trees of the Subarctic has been a permanent resident in my listening rotation these last few months. The main focus here is the beautiful acoustic guitar playing: gorgeous, inventive overlapping melodies that evoke the warmth and sunshine you’re longing for right now. This was one of my favorites of 2015 and now is the perfect time for you to discover it.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7LmC12AEAN5Dw3YnB59Uuo
Bandcamp: https://thisisforte.bandcamp.com/album/palm-trees-of-the-subarctic
dbh: Mood

Hopping down to Manchester, U.K. we find more acoustic guitar brilliance from Dan Bridgewood-Hill who performs solo instrumentals as dbh. His newest release is Mood and that just about sums it up. These are pensive pieces with plenty to say. Bridgewood-Hill is a Brit counterpart to RecommNed faves Steve Gunn and William Tyler … if you dig those guys (and I hope you do!), you will dig this.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/1aHOjEzsRAgR3AyDeDWOhZ
Bandcamp: https://dbhmusic.bandcamp.com/album/mood
Tashi Dorji: Appa

Finally, I’ll give the acoustic guitar one more workout with Tashi Dorji who grew up in Bhutan but now lives in Asheville. While there is some of that beautiful, laid-back vibe of this week’s first two rec’s going on in his album Appa, there is also a whole lot of other stuff in there, too. Complex compositions give rise to crackerjack improvisational exercises; melodies dissolving and reappearing at will. It’s laden with ideas while light on the ears all at once. Enjoy!
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7sZ2xDy0mv3TiTkdGlLcpg
Bandcamp: https://tashidorji1.bandcamp.com/album/appa